WWU's Science and the UniverCity series to present 'A Mathematical Mystery Tour' Feb. 16

Western Washington University Professor of Mathematics Richard Gardner will present “A Mathematical Mystery Tour” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Bellingham City Council chambers, second floor, Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie St.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is offered as the second event of the annual “Science and the UniverCity” community science lecture series. It is sponsored by the WWU College of Sciences and Technology, the City of Bellingham, and, along with the other CST outreach programs, “Wizards at Western” and the “Leaders in Their Fields,” is also sponsored in part by a grant from the Cherry Point BP refinery.

How do you become a mathematician? What are convex sets, and why should large corporations like American Airlines care? What is Geometric Tomography? How can you get an elephant into a one-inch cube? What is the most surprising mathematical fact? Can mathematics be beautiful? Come and find out.

Gardner earned his doctorate in Mathematics from University College London in 1974, and his Doctor of Sciences from the University of London in 1988. He has taught at Western since 1991.

The series will continue in the spring with Eric DeChaine, assistant professor in Biology, discussing the historical biogeography of Beringia, the prehistoric land bridge linking Asia and America.

“We are pleased again this year to have the support of the City in our efforts to bring programs on important topics in science and technology to the Bellingham community. Furthermore, to have endorsement of our efforts, in the form of support for this series by the BP Corporation, is especially gratifying,” said Arlan Norman, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology. “This is a program for the community, a program that we hope really contributes to the general understanding of many important and exciting topics in today’s complex world of scientific and technological advances.”

Gardner’s presentation will also be taped and rebroadcast on Bellingham BTV 10.

For more information, contact Richard Gardner, WWU professor of Mathematics, at (360) 650-7760 or Richard.gardner@wwu.edu.